Collapsible chair



Feb. 9, 1943. A. B. BELL COLLAPSIBLE CHAIR Filed Nov. 24, 1939 Patented Feb. 9, 1943 UNETED STATS ATET COLLAPSIBLE CHAIR Application November 24, 1939, Serial No. 305,839

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a collapsible chair which can be quickly and easily assembled or taken apart, but which, when assembled, has the appearance and rigidity of a permanently assembled chair.

It is an object of the invention to provide an upholstered chair of substantial and pleasing appearance, which can be stored in relatively narrow spaces such as a narrow closet or under a bed or berth.

Other advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the disclosure of the in vention in the following description thereof, and in the drawing of which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the framework of said chair.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the framework in folded position.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

The chair illustrated on the drawing consists of separate parts, namely a, foldable frame-work illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a seat cushion It), and a seat back l2.

The -frame-work consists of a seat-support frame 14 which is approximately rectangular in shape and may be made of squared metal tubing or any other suitable material. A small bracket 15 projects forward from the rear bar of the frame l4 to assist in supporting the seat cushion Ii]. Hinged to the sides of the frame I 4 are a pair of side frames and 22. Each of these side frames comprises a forward upright 24 and a rear upright 26 which serve as front and rear legs of the chair. The rear uprights extend above the seat frame i4, these extensions 28 receiving between them the seat-back l 2 which is interlocked therewith so as to maintain the side frames in parallel vertical planes when the seat is assembled. The forward uprights 24 preferably, but not necessarily, project above the seat base l4 as at 30. The upper portions of the front and rear uprights are connected together by elements which are provided with cushions for arm-rests 32. Thus each side frame is rockable as a unit on its hinges.

On the inner face of each side frame are mounted hinge elements 34 which project inward from the side bars of the seat frame l4 and cooperate with hinge elements 36 projecting upward from the side bars of the seat frame. Below the hinge elements 34 are abutment elements 38 which normally bear against the side bars of the seat frame when the chair is assembled and the side frames are in vertical planes.

If desired, the lower ends of the front and rear uprights may be connected by suitable runners 49 which provide a greater bearing surface for the chair upon the floor or other supporting surface, and which stiffen the side frames themselves.

The interlocking means by which the extensions 28 of the rear uprights are secured to and held against the side edges of the seat-back l2 may be of any preferred construction. As shown, a channel 42 is mounted on the inner face of each upright extension 28, the sides of each channel having inturned flanges 44 which are received in grooves '46 in the side faces of suitable rails 48 secured to the side edges of the seat-back l2. The channels 42 and the rails 48 are preferably elongated so as to provide the interlocking means with strength and rigidity. The seat cushion Mt and the seat-back l2 are preferably upholstered and are provided with suitable recesses 54 adapted to fit over and conceal the hinges by which the side frames are attached to the seat frame. Thus the assembled chair has the appearance of a permanently rigid piece of furniture, and there is no suggestion of collapsibility. The chair can be quickly taken to pieces, however, by lifting the back so that the rails 48 slide out of the channels 42. The seat cushion i0 is then lifted out, leaving the frame as illustrated in Figure 2. The side frames 29 and 22 can then be swung inward to the position shown in Figure 3.

In order to take up any slack between the channels and rails which may result from an inaccurate fit or from wear, a suitable spring 56 may be mounted along an edge of each of the rails 48. Each spring 56 may consist of a curved piece of spring wire having its ends sprung into suitable holes (not shown) in an edge of the rail 43, the holes being arranged so that the midportion of the spring is spaced from the edge of the rail and bears firmly against the adjacent side wall of the channel 42 as illustrated in Figure 5.

It is evident that various modifications and changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated and described without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as defined in the following claim.

I claim:

A collapsible chair comprising a rigid seatsupport frame, a pair of rigid side frames hinged to said seat frame, each said side frame including front and rear uprights having on their inner faces hinge elements cooperating with hinge elements on the upper face of said seat frame, a removable upholstered seat cushion supported on said seat frame, a removable upholstered back between said rear uprights, and interlocking means on said back and rear uprights cooperating to hold the chair assembled, said seat and back having recesses in the sides thereof arranged to enclose and conceal the hinges when the chair is assembled.

ALFRED B. BELL. 

